Heel-stiffener machine



(No Model.)

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'HEBL STIFPENER MACHINE. Q v

' Patented Sept. 5, 189-3..

(No Model.)

CHASE ma. H. FOSTER. HEEL STI PFENER MACHINE.

"No. 504.327. Patented Sept '5, 1893;

7 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(N-o Mod-em 7Sheets 'Shet 3.

' M. CHASE 8 M. H. FOSTER.-

- HEEL STIFFENER MACHINE.

No. 504,327. I Patented Se pt.:5 1'8 93;

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M m MN wn DPT S A fin M No. 504,327.. Patented $6Pt.15, 1893.

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M. CHASE 80 ME. FOSTER. r HBELSTIPPENER MACHINE. No. 504,327. PatentedSept. 5, 1893.

7 Shets.-Sheet 6.

(No Model.)

CHASE &-M. H. FOSTER. HEEL STIFFENE'R MAGEINE. N0.'504,327. PatentedSept. 5, 1893'. y

' (No-Model.) v 7 Sheets-Sheet 7. CHASE &.M. H. POSTER.

HEELSTIFFENER MACHINE. No. 504,327. Patented Sept. 5, 1893.

UNITED STATES MILTON CHASE AND MATTHEW H. FOSTER, OF HAVERHILL,MASSACHUSETTS.

PATENT OFFICE.

HEEL-STIFFE N ER MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 504,327, datedSeptember 5, 1893.

Application filed June 10, 1892. Serial No. 436,191. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that we, MILTON CHASE and MATTHEW H. Fos'rnn, citizens ofthe United States, and residents of Haverhill, in the county of Essexand State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Machines for Molding Boot or Shoe Counters, of which thefollowing, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is aspecification.

The object of our invention is to produce a machine whereby a number ofboot or shoe counters are molded or bent into form at one and the sametime.

The invention consists of a wheel secured upon a shaft mounted insuitable bearings and having a slow rotary motion imparted thereto, saidwheel having upon its face a series of dies each consisting of a centralblock, and the two side jaws that are caused to slide to and from saidcentral portion by suitable cams and connections, and also in certaindetails of construction as hereinafter fully described and pointed outin the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1- represents an end viewof a machine for forming boot or shoe counters embodying our invention.Fig. 1 is a similar view of a machine embodying another form ofstripping mechanism. Fig. 2- is a verti-- cal transverse section throughthe same. Fig. 3- is a front view partly in section. Fig. 4 is a plan ortop view. Figs. 5 to 14= are detail views of the sliding jaws andcentral block, with modifications thereof. Figs. 15

.and 16- are detail views of the feed gage.

Figs. 17 to 19 are views of various forms of counters that may beproduced by our machine. Fig. 20 is a plan or top view of a doublemachine. Fig. 21- is a detail view of the preferred form of the devicefor automatioally removing the counters from the machine, showing it inthe position just ready to throw off a counter. Fig. 22isa similar Viewjust after the counter has been thrown 01f. Fig. 23 is a front view ofsaid device. Fig. 24 shows a plan and side view of the sliding plate towhich the central block or die is fulcrumed. Fig. 2 5 is a front view ofthe machine showing another means for removing the counters. Fig. 26- isa vertical transverse section of the same.

A, represents a frame or bed supported by legs B. To the top of theframe are secured bearings C, C, C in which is mounted a shaft D. Uponthe shaft between the bearings C, C is mounted a worm wheel E, in gearwith a worm F, secured on a shaft G, that is mounted in suitablebearings H, secured to the top of the frame A. Upon therear end of theshaft G, is mounted a fast and loose pulleyI, I, to which motionisimparted from any suitable source. On the shaft D, between thebearings C, C, is mounted a wheel J, the perimeter of which ispreferably of hexagon form and on each side of said wheel are arrangedcams K, K, which are secured to the bearings C, C. Upon each face of thehexagon wheel J, is a plate L, and on the inside of the rim is a narrowplate M, the two plates being secured together by bolts N, passingthrough the slots j, in the rim (see Fig. 2.) In the center of the plateM, is secured a bolt or stud m (see Figs. 2 and 3) and on each side ofthe said plate M, in the rim of the wheel is a bolt or stud 'n, a springP, being arranged on these bolts so as to draw the plates M, and L,forward to release the heel of the counter when the dies are open; orspiral springs might be inserted in the end of the plate L, to throw itinto position. To the plate L, is secured the central block or die Q, oneach side of which is arranged a sliding jaw or die R, R. (These partsare shown in detail on Sheet 4, and will be more fully explainedhereinafter.) Each of the dies R,

R, is secured to a block S, to which motion is imparted from the cams K,through cam levers T, and connecting rods U, the cams being so arrangedthat the jaws R, R will be drawn open to receive the counter blanks andto deliver the molded counter at the desired point but hold all theother molds in the closed position. These cam lovers are of the formshown (see Figs. 1 and 3), and are fulcrumed upon bolts or rods V,secured at their ends in bars W, that rest upon the periphery of thewheel J, each of the said levers being formed with a loose jaw 15,fulcrumed at t, and also a jaw or projection 29, formed in one with themain body T. Between these two jaws is placed a square bar 00, held inplace by a lip on the loose jaw t, and by set screws Y, passing throughthe jaw 25 by means of which the amount of travel of the blocks S, canbe adjusted according to the thickness of the material employed forforming the counters.

1, is a curved plate the inner face of which just fits against theperiphery of the dies R, and blocks S. This plate is supported by crossheads 2, carried by rods 3, secured at one end to a boss on the bearingsG, O, and screw threaded at the other end to receive nuts 4. Through thecenter of each of the cross heads are bolts 5, that carry a plate 6,(see Fig. 4) so that by adjusting the bolts 6, the amount of pressureexerted by the plate 1, can be regulated. The upper end of this plate iscut out to about the form of acounter and beveled inwardly as will beseen in Figs. 2 and 4.

To each of the blocks S, is pivoted a feed gage 7 (shown in detail inFigs. 15 and 16) by means of which the operator will be enabled to placethe counter blanks in the dies evenly and the required depth. Each gageis at its forward end of such shape as to conform to the shape of thedies, and it is fulcrumed to the block S, at 8, a lip 9, projecting overthe edge of the block, through which lips a set screw 10 passes, so thatby adjusting the set screw 10, the distance, the forward end of the gageis thrown in by the spring 11, can be regulated as required. The gage ismade in two parts, one part having a slot 12, and secured to the rearpart by set screws 13, so that it can be lengthened or contracted to thesize of the counter to be formed. 14 is a recess to allow the thumb andfinger of the operator to place the counter blank so that its edge willbe level with the top of the gage. 15 is a small wheel or disk which asthe wheel J, rotates comes into contact with the plate 1, after theblank has been placed in the die, and throws the forward end of saidgage out of the way of the plate 1, as will be best seen in Fig. 4.

Referring to Sheet 4, in which the dies are shown, it will be seen thatthe die R is at its rear portion 4', rounded out and extends beyond thecenter line as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the latter being a section takenon line as, m, of Fig. 5, and the die R, is atits rear made to fit thesame, its inner rear portion r coming to a knife edge, so that when thetwo dies come together around the central die or block Q, the leatherforming the counter will not be nipped in the center and form a ridge aswould be the case if the die R, did not fit into the die R, and was notformed with a knife edge. Fig. 6 is a front view of Fig. 5. Each die R,R, is formed With awing R having a screw hole therein by which it issecured to its sliding block S.

In Fig. 8 we have shown a modified form of the die. In this case boththe dies are formed with a rear rounded knife edge '1' as beforedescribed with reference to the die R. The

rear portion of these dies slide in a fixed block R that on its innerside is rounded to conform to the shape of the rear of the dies.

The central die Q, of which Fig. 9 is a plan view, Fig. 10 a side viewand Fig. 11 a cross section taken on line 11 y, of Fig. 9, is of theform it is desired to mold the counter and is mounted upon the plate L,upon which the dies R, R, slide. The forward end of this die is ofawedge shape so that when the jaws R, R, are opened the plate L, will bedrawn forward by the spring P, and thus release the heel portion of thecounter, and when the jaws R, R, are forced together the die Q, andplate L, will be pushed back so as to bring them into proper position topress the leather into form. The central dic Q, and plate L as shown inFigs. 9, 10 and 11 are adapted foraconnter of the form shownin Fig. 17,the plate 1, bending over and pressing the upper edge of the leather asit passes under the same.

The dies Q shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14. have an upper plate Q, securedthereto or formed in one therewith; this description of die is used whenit is desired to produce a counter with a turned up edge as shown inFig.18; recesses q, are formed on the sides of the plate Q so as toallow the thumb of the operator to place the counter blank in place anda recess q, is also formed at the heel for the automatic remover tocatch and lift the molded counter from the die. Should it be desired toproduce a counter with a turned up edge at the rear, and a turned downportion at the front (as shown in Fig. 19) then the plate Q, would haveto be cut away in front as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 12.

When it is desired to produce a counter of either of the forms shown inFigs. 18 or 19, the plate 1 is dispensed with.

To remove the counters from the machine after they have been molded,weprefer to use the device as shown in Sheet 6, in which Fig. 21 is a sideview of an automatic counter remover showing it in the position justready to be operated upon. Fig. 22 is a similar view but showing it inthe position after the counter has just been removed. Fig. 23 is a frontview of the removing device. Fig, 24 is a plan and side view of theplate L.

21, represents a bracket secured to the frame A, in front of themachine, and 22, another bracket also secured to said frame.

In the upper end of the bracket 22, is mounted a shaft or spindle 23,upon which is secured on one side of the bracket 22, an arm 24, thelower edge of which is formed with a cam shaped hook 25, and on saidspindle 23, on the other side of the bracket 22, is mounted an arm 26,the upper end of which is bifurcated and has mounted therein a catch orlatch 27. The two arms 24, and 26, are adjustable upon the spindle 23,and when in the desired position are secured by set screws or pins.

To the upper portion of bracket 21, is socured (or it might be formedinto. one therewith) an extension 2l,'and to the lower or base portionis secured an arm 28.

29, is a short shaft mounted at its end in the arms 21, and '28, andupon this shaft is secured an arm 30, and also an arm 31. The arm isprovided at each end with eyes 32, 32, and through the eye 32, ispasseda screw threaded rod 33, the upper end of which is attached to abell crank 34,fulcrumed on the extension 21*. At about the center of therod 33, is secured a boss 35, and a spiral spring 35 is interposedbetween said boss and the eye 32, and on the said rod 33, below the eye32, are two nuts 36, which can be adj usted as required.

To the upper portion of the extension 21*, is fulcrumed a latch lever37, the outer end of which is fitted with springs 37 that when inoperation catchesand removes the counters from the dies. To the latchlever 37, is fulcrumed a rod 38 the lower end of which passes throughthe eye 32. A boss 39 is secured at about the center of this rod, and aspiral spring 40 is interposed between the boss 39, and the eye 32, nuts41 on the rod below the eye 32, regulating the tension of the spring 40.is a grass hopper spring for resetting this mechanism one end of whichis attached to the arm 21. It is then twisted around the shaft 29, andits other end secured to the arm 31.

To operate this removing mechanism a cam 42, and a catch 43, are securedto the periphery of the wheel J, and so arranged that the cam 42, willcome into contact with the cam hook 25, on the arm 24, thereby forcingit away from the face of the machine, and at the same time throwing thearm 26, forward so that the catch latch 27, will come into contact witha projection q formed on the front end of the block or die Q which inthis case is fulcrumed to the plate L, at p, so that the block Q is freeto be tilted out as shown in Fig. 22. While the block is thus beingthrown out, the catch 43, takes hold of the end of the arm 31, whichcompresses the spring 40, and at the same time brings the arm 30, downso that the eye 32, strikes the nuts 36, thereby drawing upon the rod 33and withdrawing the end of the bell crank 34, out of contact with thelatch lever 37, which as soon as it is free is by means of the spiralspring 40, pushed quickly upward into the position shown in Fig. 22. Thesprings 37 in their movement coming into contact with the face of theblock Q and catching the molded counter draws it 0d at an angle so thatthe counter will not be stretched but retain the same shape as when onthe die, and as soon as the catch 43, is free from the arm 31, thespring 55 forces down the inner end of arm 30, thus drawing the arm 38,down and lowering the catch lever 37 at the same time compressing thespring 35*, which forces up the rod 33, and pushes the bell crank lever34, so as to hold the latch lever 37 thus resetting the apparatus readyfor the next counter to be removed. 44-is a stop to prevent the lever 37from being thrown over too far.

Although we prefer the device thus described, it is obvious that thearrangement shown in Figs. 25 and 26 might be employed, but in it thecounter is liable to be stretched as it is removed. In that shown inFigs. 25 and 26 the central die or block Q, is tilted automatically by aright angled piece 45, mounted in the end of abracket 46, secured to theframe A, which piece may be held in its normal position by any suitablespring. The counter is removed by a spring 47, on an arm 48, mounted onan end of a shaft 49 carried by a bracket 50, secured to the frame A. Onthe outer end of this shaft 49 is mounted a pinion 51, in gear with alarge, cog wheel 52, secured on the end of the main shaft D. In thiscase where there are six dies upon the perimeter of the wheel J, thelarge wheel 52,

would have to be just six times larger in diameter than the pinion 51,so as to bring the arm 48, round to meet each and every one of the diesas they come opposite thereto.

Still another means for removing the counter is shown in Figs. 1 and 1in which the central die Q may be recessed longitudinally and a narrowbar 16 inserted and fulcrumed near the front end, said bar alsoprojecting over the ends of the die as shown in Fig. 2 and held innormal position by a spring 17. To the end of the bar 16 a stud 18 issecured to which is fulcrumed a bar 19, having at its upper end a hook20. The bar 19 is held in its normal position by a spiral springinterposed between the bar and a nut on the stud 21, secured to the bar19 so that as the wheel J rotates, the hook 20 will catch upon the endof the bar 16 and throw its rear end outward which will also carry thecounter with it.

IOC

The operation is as follows: Supposing it is desired to mold counters ofthe description shown in Fig. 17, the machine being put in motion thedies on the perimeter of the wheel J, that are in about the positionshown at Z, Figs. 1 and 2 will be open to receive the counter blanks.The attendant then takes a blank and bends it round so as to enter thedies, the ends of the blank fitting against the projections on the endsof the feed gage. He then presses it down until the top edge is on alevel with top of said gage, the dies being held open a sufficientlength of time, but by the time the dies have reached the position Z,they have been closed by means of the cams K, and connections so as tofirmly press upon the counter blank. The rollers 15, on the feed gagethen come into contact with the sides of the plate 1, and throw saidgage out of the way of the plate (see Fig. 4). The edge of the counterblank projecting above the dies then comes into contact with theunder-side of the plate 1, and it is bent or turned over upon the top ofthe central die or block Q and is subjected to the rubbing action of theplate 1, during its passage under same. When the die comes intoabout theposition Z the side dies or jaws R, R, commence to open, the cam 42comes into contact with the cam hook 25 thus throwing the catch latch 27forward so as to come into contact with the projection g, on the blockor die Q thus tilting it forward as shown in Fig. 22, at the same timethe catch 43 comes into contact with the arm 31 raising it until the rod33 withdraws the bell-crank 34 from the latch lever 37, which is thenthrown up by rod 38 and spring 40, the end of the spring 37 coming intocontact with the face of the block Q and lifting the counter therefrom.After the counter has thus been removed and the block Q passed beyondthe control of the catch lever 27, it is drawn back into its normalposition by means of the spring P, and is ready to receive anotherblank.

Although we have only described the operation of one die it is obviousthat the same operation is being repeated by as many dies as may be uponthe face of the wheel which we have shown as six. In Fig. 21 we haveshown a plan view of a double machine in which case the portions of thedies that are in the center of the machine would be fixed, the side diesand central blocks having the required motion imparted to them.

What we claim is- 1. In a machine for forming boot or shoe counters, awheel, a series of male dies secured thereto, each die being movablecircumferentially of the wheel, a pair of female dies for each male die,said female dies engaging with the male die and moving it upon thewheel, and means for rotating the wheel and moving the female dies,substantially as set forth.

2. In a machine for forming boot or shoe counters, a wheel, a series ofspring actuated male dies adj ustably secured thereto, and movablecircnmferentially of the wheel, a pair of laterally movable female diesfor each male die, said female dies engaging with the male die andmoving it in one direction whereby the spring is compressed for movingthe male die in the opposite direction, and means for rotating the wheeland moving the female dies, substantially as set forth.

3. In a machine for forming boot or shoe counters, a wheel, a series ofmale dies secured thereto, a pair of laterally moving female dies foreach male die, and an adjustable presser for operating the female dies,substantially as set forth.

4. In a machine for forming boot or shoe counters, dies consisting of acentral block, and two sliding jaws, one of which has an extensionbeyond the center line and rounded on its inner rear portion, the otherone fitting into said round portion and having a knife edge as and forthe purposes set forth.

5. In a machine for forming boot or shoe counters, a wheel, a series ofspring actuated male dies secured thereto, and movable circumferentiallyof the wheel, one end of each of said dies being rounded and theopposite end providedwith a wedge shaped proj cction,

a pair of laterally movable female dies for each male die, one end ofeach of said female dies being concaved to correspond with the roundedend of the male die, and with a knife edge, and the opposite end of saidfemale dies being adapted to engage with the wedgeshaped projection ofthe male die, and forcing its rounded end into the concave portion ofthe female dies, substantially as set forth.

6. In a machine for forming boot or shoe counters, a central block ordie fulcrumed to a plate free to slide upon its bed, the front portionof said die having a lip or projection, and means for tilting said blocksubstantially as set forth.

'7. In a machine for forming boot or shoe counters, a central block ordie the forward end of which is of a wedge shape two sliding diessecured to plates having Wedge shaped portion to correspond with and fitagainst the front of the central die and a spring to draw the centralblock or die forward when the side dies are open said block being forcedback by the wedge shaped portion when the dies close as set forth.

8. In a machine for forming boot or shoe counters, a wheel, a series offorming dies thereon, the male portion of which is pivotally securedthereto, a bracket adjacent to the periphery of the wheel, a latchlever, pivotally secured to the upper end of the bracket, and means forsimultaneously moving the latch lever and the male die, whereby thecounter is removed from the die, substantially as set forth.

9. In a machine for forming boot or shoe counters a wheel, having aseries of forming dies, the male portion of which is provided with aprojection and is pivotally secured to the wheel, a bracket adjacent tothe periphery of the wheel, a latch lever and a catch latch pivotallysecured to the bracket, and means for moving the catch latch intoengagement with the male die and operating the latch lever, whereby thecounter is removed from the die, substantially as set forth.

10. A machine for forming boot or shoe counters consisting of a wheel J,mounted upon a shaft D, to which a slow rotary motion is imparted, diesQ, R, R, secured on the periphery of said wheel, fixed cams K, camlevers T, and connecting rods U, for transmitting motion from the camlevers to the sliding jaws of the dies substantially as set forth.

11. In a machine for forming boot or shoe counters such as described,the central block or die Q, wedge shaped at its forward end and attachedto a plate N, a spring P, for drawing said plate and block forward incombination with dies R, R, secu red to and carried by sliding plates L,having wedge shaped portions corresponding to that on the block Q,whereby said block will be drawn forward when the dies are opened, andforced back when they are closed as set forth.

12. In a machine such as described the cam levers T, having a loose jaw25, and adapted to IIO carry a bar 00, and set screws Y, whereby theamount of travel imparted to the sliding jaws or dies R, R, can beadjusted as set forth.

13. In a machine for forming boot or shoe counters a feed gageconsisting of two parts each fulcrumed at 8, to the blocks S, carryingthe sliding dies and having their forward ends adj ustably connected tothe rear portion by set screws 13,the rear portion having a lip 9, inwhich is an adjusting screw 10, for regulating the distance it is thrownin by the spring 11, and a wheel or disk 15, for throwing the gage openwhen passing the plate 1, as set forth.

14. In combination with a machine of the character described for formingboot or shoe counters, the automatic device for removing the finishedcounters consisting of an arm 24 having a cam shaped hook 25 at itslower end and an arm 26, and latch 27, said arm being 20 mounted upon ashaft 23, carried by suitable brackets, bracket 21, arm 28, shaft 29,mounted therein, the arms 30, 31, secured to said shaft 29, eyes 32, 32rod 33, bell crank 34, boss 35, spiral spring 35 and nuts 36, the latchlever 37 having springs 37 rod 38, boss 39, spring 40, and nuts 41, incombination with a cam 42 and a catch 43, secured to the periphery ofthe wheel J, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 2d day of June, A. D.1892.

MILTON CHASE. MATTHEW H. FOSTER.

Witnesses CHAS. STEERE, EDWIN PLANTA.

